Japan launches cooling shirt with built-in fans

Tokyo – Due to Japan’s intense summer heat, office wear is now being equipped with modern cooling technology. Japanese people have started wearing clothes with built-in air-conditioning systems.

Japanese clothing manufacturer Yofuku no Aoyama has introduced a short-sleeved shirt fitted with two small fans that provide cool air to the wearer while they are on the move.

According to media reports, the shirt looks like a simple and elegant office shirt but it actually contains an advanced cooling system. A fan is installed at the back of the shirt near the waist. When switched on, it circulates air inside the shirt and helps keep the body cool.

Air-cooled clothing has become increasingly popular in Japan over the past few years. However, it has mainly been used by people working in construction, waste collection and event security. Such clothing is generally designed as jackets or vests and has traditionally been considered protective or workwear rather than office clothing.

However, as summer temperatures continue to rise in Japan, demand for cooling clothing is increasing among ordinary citizens and office workers as well.

Keeping this growing demand in mind, Yofuku no Aoyama developed the shirt in collaboration with FZN, a company specializing in fan-equipped clothing.

The shirt comes with two fans and a rechargeable battery. According to the company, efforts have been made to keep the cooling system as lightweight as possible.

According to the report, each of the two fans weighs 95 grams, while the rechargeable battery pack weighs 165 grams.

Although the fans are visible when the shirt is viewed from the back, designers have tried to make them less noticeable from other angles so that the shirt remains suitable for an office environment.

The company has not provided specific information about the noise level of the fans suggesting that they may not be completely silent.

When is cooling shirt most useful?

The shirt is considered more useful while travelling rather than during meetings. The company says its main purpose is not necessarily to operate the fans inside an office or during client meetings as such meetings are generally held in air-conditioned rooms.

The real benefit of the shirt is for people who travel around the city from one meeting to another. While walking outside in extreme heat or using public transport, the fans can help keep the body cool.

It may also reduce the need for employees to change sweat-soaked clothes and put on formal attire again after reaching their destination.

What is price?

The complete initial package of the Kuchou Wear Short-Sleeve Shirt is being sold for 17,490 Japanese yen. The package includes the shirt, two fans, a rechargeable battery pack and a charging cable.

The shirt is available in blue and grey with medium, large and extra-large sizes offered. The product has already gone on sale at the company’s stores and online shop.